Brentford Captain Christian Norgaard Opens Up About His Fear of Becoming Dependent on Sleeping Pills

Christian Norgaard, the captain of Brentford, has expressed his worries about potentially becoming reliant on sleeping pills, a medication he started taking in preparation for away matches.

The 31-year-old, who has been with Brentford since 2019, indicated that his issues first arose during his time at Brondby.

“I can vividly recall the moment it first happened,” Norgaard shared with the BBC this week.

“It was just before a significant cup fixture in Denmark, and anxiety began to creep in. After a poor night’s sleep, I found myself thinking, ‘What if I don’t perform well because of my lack of sleep?’.

“This thought pattern followed me into the next match, with the belief that I had to sleep well beforehand, or else I’d be terrible on the pitch. Hence, it became clear I needed to break this cycle.”

Norgaard has found assistance in his work with Brentford’s ‘sleep coach’, Anna West, but he noted that his struggles have often gone unnoticed.

In 2023, former Tottenham Hotspur and Everton star Aaron Lennon disclosed in an interview that he spent six months in rehabilitation for addiction to sleeping pills and accompanying mental health issues.

Norgaard admitted that listening to Lennon’s experiences prompted him to realise how close he had come to becoming dependent.

“It was challenging to watch, but also deeply moving. It struck a chord with me as someone who has battled similar issues and could have easily found himself addicted to sleeping tablets,” he remarked.

“I remember texting our sleep coach, Anna, to express my gratitude for the techniques we’ve been practising, as it really highlighted how serious things can get.”

“This is a subject that perhaps hasn’t received the attention it deserves. However, I believe it is now being recognised more widely—not just in football, but across society, as a crucial issue.”